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《凯斯宾王子》第十四章 纳尼亚的解放

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2018年06月30日

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN HOW ALL WERE VERY BUSY

第十四章 纳尼亚的解放

A LITTLE before two o'clock Trumpkin and the Badger sat with the rest of the creatures at the woods edge looking across at the gleaming line of Miraz's army which was about two arrow-shots away.In between,a square space of level grass had been staked for the combat.At the two far corners stood Glozelle and Sopespian with drawn swords.At the near corners were Giant Wimbleweather and the Bulgy Bear,who in spite of all their warnings was sucking his paws and looking,to tell the truth,uncommonly silly.To make up for this,Glenstorm on the right of the lists,stock-still except when he stamped a hind hoof occasionally on the turf,looked much more imposing than the Telmarine baron who faced him on the left.Peter had just shaken hands with Edmund and the Doctor,and was now walking down to the combat.It was like the moment before the pistol goes at an important race,but very much worse.

快到两点钟的时候,杜鲁普金、棕熊和整个部队坐在树林的最外边。几十米开外,是弥若兹大军。放眼望去两军之间的草地被一块平地分开,那块平地已被圈起来。哥洛和索皮站在平地一边,手持宝剑,巨人韦姆布威热和大棕熊站在另外两边。棕熊不听同伴劝告,仍然不停舔爪子,样子十分有趣。格兰士托姆站在左边,弥补了熊的失仪,巨人像个雕塑般一动不动,只是偶尔踏一下脚,比起对面的助手有气势多了。这个时候彼得已经与爱德蒙和博士握过手,向平地中间走去。此时气氛紧张,甚至比赛场上发令枪响之前的那一刻还紧张。

"I wish Aslan had turned up before it came to this,"said Caspian Trumpkin.

"如果阿斯兰在就好了。"杜鲁普金说。

"So do I,"said Trufflehunter."But look behind you."

"我也这么想,"特鲁佛汉特说,"你看后面。"

"Crows and crockery!"muttered the Dwarf as soon as he had done so."What are they? Huge people-beautiful people-like gods and goddesses and giants.Hundreds and thousands of them,closing in behind us.What are they?"

"天哪!" 小矮人回过头,非常吃惊,"他们是?那么高......那么漂亮的......像神、女神和巨人一样,我们身后成千上万的那些人,是谁?"

"It's the Dryads and Hamadryads and Silvans,"said Trufflehunter."Aslan has waked them."

"是树仙女、精灵和树神,"特鲁佛汉特说,"是阿斯兰唤醒了他们。"

"Humph!"said the Dwarf."That'll be very useful if the enemy try any treachery.But it won't help the High King very much if Miraz proves handier with his sword."

"哼!"小矮人说,"看这种阵势,量敌人也不敢耍什么花招。 但如果弥若兹的剑法更好,我们也毫无办法。"

The Badger said nothing,for now Peter and Miraz were entering the lists from opposite ends,both on foot,both in chain shirts,with helmets and shields.They advanced till they were close together.Both bowed and seemed to speak,but it was impossible to hear what they said.Next moment,the two swords flashed in the sunlight.For a second the clash could be heard but it was immediately drowned because both armies began shouting like crowds at a football match.

棕熊什么也没说。这时候彼得和弥若兹已经全身装备好走到平地中间,气氛更加紧张。他们行礼,说了几句话,不过由于距离太远,听不清谈话内容。忽然,两把剑都出了鞘,剑身闪着寒光。决斗就这样开始了。四周人声鼎沸,将两人的击剑声完全淹没。呐喊一浪盖过一浪,比足球比赛还热闹。

"Well done,Peter,oh,well done!"shouted Edmund as he saw Miraz reel back a whole pace and a half."Follow it up,quick!"And Peter did,and for a few seconds it looked as if the fight might be won.But then Miraz pulled himself together-began to make real use of his height and weight"Miraz! Miraz! The King! The King!"came the roar of the Telmarines.Caspian and Edmund grew white with sickening anxiety.

"漂亮!彼得,噢,漂亮!"爱德蒙看到弥若兹节节败退,开始大声喝彩,"快,进攻!"此时的彼得乘胜追击,看似胜券在握。没想到弥若兹竟然釜底抽薪,来了个回马枪。他依仗自己体重与身高的优势,步步为营。"弥若兹!弥若兹!国王!国王!"敌军大声呐喊,局势对彼得不利。这时候凯斯宾和爱德蒙脸都白了。

"Peter is taking some dreadful knocks,"said Edmund.

"彼得受到了一些致命伤。"爱德蒙说。

"Hullo!"said Caspian."What's happening now?"

"那么!"雷佩契普说,"现在又怎么样了?"

"Both falling apart,"said Edmund."A bit blown,I expect.Watch.Ah,now they're beginning again,more scientifically this time.Circling round and round,feeling each other's defences."

"两人各就各位,"爱德蒙说,"要歇一歇。不过他们马上又开始了。这一次他们都比较谨慎,绕场一圈僵持着,寻找对手的破绽。"

"I'm afraid this Miraz knows his work,"muttered the Doctor.But hardly had he said this when there was such a clapping and baying and throwing up of hoods among the Old Narnians that it was nearly deafening.

"看来弥若兹的剑法精湛。"博士低声说。他话音没落就听到一阵雷鸣般的掌声和跺脚声。

"What was it? What was it?"asked the Doctor."My old eyes missed it."

"怎么回事?怎么了?"博士问,"我眼睛不好,看不清。"

"The High King has pricked him in the arm-pit,"said Caspian,still clapping."Just where the arm-hole of the hauberk let the point through.First blood."

"弥若兹被刺中了手臂,"凯斯宾边拍手边说,"剑穿过了他锁子甲的缝隙,弥若兹受伤了。"

"It's looking ugly again now,though,"said Edmund."Peter's not using his shield properly.He must be hurt in the left arm."

"情况不对啊,"爱德蒙说,"彼得拿盾牌的姿势不对,他一定也受伤了。"

It was only too true.Everyone could see that Peter's shield hung limp.The shouting of the Telmarines redoubled.

大家这才发现彼得手里的盾牌有些拿不稳。这时候敌军阵营中的呼喊声愈加高涨。

"You've seen more battles than I,"said Caspian."Is there any chance now?"

"你经验丰富,"凯斯宾说,"你说我们有胜算吗?"

"Precious little,"said Edmund."I suppose he might just do it.With luck."

"还有一点吧,"爱德蒙说,"我想彼得在等待时机,看运气吧。"

"Oh,why did we let it happen at all?"said Caspian.

"哦,那我们为什么还让他们打?"凯斯宾说。

Suddenly all the shouting on both sides died down.Edmund was puzzled for a moment.Then he said,Oh,I see.They've both agreed to a rest.Come on,Doctor.You and I may be able to do something for the High King.They ran down to the lists and Peter came outside the ropes to meet them,his face red and sweaty,his chest heaving.

双方的喊叫声突然同时停了下来。爱德蒙马上明白过来:"哦,是的,双方同意暂停,休息一会儿。跟我来博士,看看能不能帮得上彼得。"说着,他俩走向决斗场。彼得朝他们走了过来。他满脸通红,汗流浃背,胸部急剧地起伏。

"Is your left arm wounded?"asked Edmund.

"你的左臂受伤了?"爱德蒙问。

"It's not exactly a wound,"Peter said."I got the full weight of his shoulder on my shield-like a load of bricks-and the rim of the shield drove into my wrist.I don't think it's broken,but it might be a sprain.If you could tie it up very tight I think I could manage."

"也不算受伤,"彼得说,"他把整个肩膀的重量,都压着我的盾......像砖头那么重,盾把手的边缘卡着我的手腕了。不过没有骨折,应该是扭了,绑一下就可以了。"

While they were doing this,Edmund asked anxiously."What do you think of him,Peter?"

他们包扎时,爱德蒙担心地问:"你认为能赢他吗,彼得?"

"Tough,"said Peter.Very tough.I have a chance if can keep him on the hop till his weight and short wind come against him-in this hot sun too.To tell the truth,I haven't much chance else.Give my love to-to everyone at home,Ed,if he gets me.Here he comes into the lists again.So long,old chap.Good-bye,Doctor.And I say,Ed,say something specially nice to Trumpkin.He's been a brick.

"力不从心,"彼得说,"很吃力。我有个好想法:如果能让他不停地移动,他的重量和力量,都会成为他自己的负担--在这样的烈日下。说实话已经没有其他机会了。爱德蒙,如果我牺牲了,请告诉家里的每一个人我爱他们。他上场了。再见,兄弟。再见,博士。记着,爱德蒙,好好安慰杜鲁普金,他值得信赖。"

Edmund couldn't speak.He walked back with the Doctor to his own lines with a sick feeling in his stomach.

爱德蒙没有说话。他和博士一起回到自己的阵营里,心情异常沉重。

But the new bout went well.Peter now seemed to be able to make some use of his shield,and he certainly made good use of his feet.He was almost playing Tig with Miraz now,keeping out of range,shifting his ground,making the enemy work.

但第二场局势却有所好转,彼得的手臂灵活多了,脚步也灵活许多。他在场上进进退退,一边进攻,一边和弥若兹保持距离。这样,弥若兹就不得不跟着他兜圈子。

"Coward!"booed the Telmarines."Why don't you stand up to him? Don't you like it,eh? Thought you'd come to fight,not dance.Yah!"

"懦夫!"台尔马的士兵开始叫嚣,"你怎么停了?你害怕了吗,啊?你是来决斗的,还是来跳舞的,呀哈哈!"

"Oh,I do hope he won't listen to them,"said Caspian.

"哦,我希望他别在意。"凯斯宾说。

"Not he,"said Edmund."You don't know him-Oh!"for -Miraz had got in a blow at last,on Peter's helmet.Peter staggered,slipped sideways,and fell on one knee.The roar of the Telmarines rose like the noise of the sea."Now,Miraz,"they yelled."Now.Quick ! Quick ! Kill him."But indeed there was no need to egg the usurper on.He was on top of Peter already.

"他不会,"爱德蒙说,"你不了解他--噢!"弥若兹在彼得的头盔上猛击了一下。彼得没站稳,单膝跪地。台尔马人顿时叫了起来:"快点,弥若兹,快点。快!快!杀了他。"那阴谋家不需别人提醒,已经扑向了地上的彼得。

Edmund bit his lips till the blood came,as the sword flashed down on Peter.It looked as if it would slash off his head.Thank heavens ! It had glanced down his right shoulder.The Dwarf-wrought mail was sound and did not break.

眼看像是彼得被刺,爱德蒙紧张得把嘴唇都咬破了。弥若兹的剑术凶狠毒辣,看来势在必得。不过,谢天谢地!那一剑只砍在彼得的右臂上,不幸中的万幸,他的锁子甲没有被劈开,小矮人制作的锁子甲很结实。

"Great Scott !"cried Edmund."He's up again.Peter,go it,Peter."

"好样的!"爱德蒙激动得大叫,"他又站起来了。彼得,加油,彼得。"

"I couldn't see what happened,"said the Doctor."How did he do it?"

"我没看清刚才发生了什么,"博士说,"到底怎么样了?"

"Grabbed Miraz's arm as it came down,"said Trumpkin,dancing with delight."There's a man for you ! Uses his enemy's arm as a ladder.The High King ! The High King ! Up,Old Narnia!"

"弥若兹砍下来的胳膊被彼得抓住了。"杜鲁普金一边说一边跳了起来,"至尊王!至尊王!为古纳尼亚,站起来!"

"Look,"said Trufflehunter."Miraz is angry.It is good."They were certainly at it hammer and tongs now: such a flurry of blows that it seemed impossible for either not to be killed.As the excitement grew,the shouting almost died away.The spectators were holding their breath.It was most horrible and most magnificent.

"你们看,"特鲁佛汉特说,"弥若兹没耐心了,这是好现象。"战斗已经到了高潮。每一击都很沉重,仿佛一个回合就能定输赢。观战的军队随着战斗紧张地进行,呐喊声却弱了下来。场面壮观又可怕,大家都屏住了呼吸。

A great shout arose from the Old Narnians.Miraz was a down-not struck by Peter,but face downwards,having tripped on a tussock.Peter stepped back,waiting for him to rise.

古纳尼亚的军中突然沸腾起来。原来弥若兹被绊倒了,脸朝下摔了一跤,而且摔得不轻。彼得随即退后,等他爬起。

"Oh bother,bother,bother,"said Edmund to himself."Need he be as gentlemanly as that? I suppose he must.Comes of being a Knight and a High King.I suppose it is what Aslan would like.But that brute will be up again in a minute and then-"

"啊,可恶,可恶,可恶,"爱德蒙嘟囔着,"都这时候了,还要讲究绅士风度吗?!当然他也不得不这样做,这是骑士以及一位高贵的国王应做的。这应该是阿斯兰所希望的吧。但等那个混蛋过一会儿再站起身来,就会......"

But"that brute"never rose.The Lords Glozelle and Sopespian had their own plans ready.As soon as they saw their King down they leaped into the lists crying,"Treachery! Treachery! The Narnian traitor has stabbed him in the back while he lay helpless.To arms ! To arms,Telmar!"

但那个混蛋再也没有站起来,因为哥洛和索皮开始他们的计划。他们看到弥若兹摔倒就跳入场内,大叫着:"阴谋!阴谋!我们的国王死啦!战斗!战斗,台尔马!"

Peter hardly understood what was happening.He saw two big men running toward him with drawn swords.Then the third Telmarine had leaped over the ropes on his left."To arms,Narnia! Treachery!"Peter shouted.If all three had set upon him at once he would never have spoken again.But Glozelle stopped to stab his own King dead where he lay:"That's for your insult,this morning,"he whispered as the blade went home.Peter swung to face Sopespian,slashed his legs from under him and,with the back-cut of the same stroke,walloped off his head Edmund was now at his side crying,"Narnia,Narnia! The Lion!"The whole Telmarine army was rushing toward them.But now the Giant was stamping forward,stooping low and swinging his club.The Centaurs charged.Twang,twang behind and hiss,hiss overhead came the archery of Dwarfs.Trumpkin was fighting at his left.Full battle was joined.

彼得难以置信,他看到弥若兹那两个助手持剑扑来,接着又一个台尔马人也跳入决斗场。"战斗吧,纳尼亚!这是个阴谋!"彼得也喊起来。如果三个台尔马人一齐向他进攻,也许他就不能发号施令。哥洛冲向弥若兹一击毙命,嘴里还狠狠地说:"这是为了你早上对我的侮辱!"彼得转身对付索皮。一剑劈在索皮腿上,又是一剑要了他的命。这时爱德蒙已飞奔到哥哥的身旁,嘴里大喊着:"纳尼亚,纳尼亚!狮王!"台尔马军队忽然扑来,巨人及时赶到,弯下腰赶走了敌人,人马也奋勇出击,身后一阵弓弦声,头顶飞过小矮人射出的箭雨。杜鲁普金和那群小矮人从左边打过来。刹那间,战场上顿时乱成一团,打斗场面非常激烈。

"Come back,Reepicheep,you little ass!"shouted Peter."You'll only be killed.This is no place for mice."But the ridiculous little creatures were dancing in and out among the feet of both armies,jabbing with their swords.Many a Telmarine warrior that day felt his foot suddenly pierced as if by a dozen skewers,hopped on one leg cursing the pain,and fell as often as not.If he fell,the mice finished him off; if he did not,someone else did.

"雷佩契普,去后面,你们这群小傻瓜!"彼得喊,"这不是老鼠待的地方,你们会被踩死的!"可那些小家伙毫不理会,像疯了一样。它们挥着自己手中的剑,奋勇杀敌。那天不少台尔马士兵感到脚非常痛,只好一边咒骂一边跳着往撤退,好多人都跌倒了。在战场上一旦摔倒在地,就没了活路。老鼠或是其他纳尼亚人一定会要了他的命。

But almost before the Old Narnians were really warmed to their work they found the enemy giving way.Tough-looking warriors turned white,gazed in terror not on the Old Narnians but on something behind them,and then flung down their weapons,shrieking,"The Wood ! The Wood ! The end of the world !"

古纳尼亚的战士们正高昂着斗志进攻,却发现敌军士兵瞬间放弃了抵抗,他们脸色苍白非常惊恐,然后扔下武器,尖叫着:"树精!树精!世界末日到啦!"

But soon neither their cries nor the sound of weapons could be heard any more,for both were drowned in the ocean-like roar of the Awakened Trees as they plunged through the ranks of Peter's army,and then on,in pursuit of the Telmarines.Have you ever stood at the edge of a great wood on a high ridge when a wild south-wester broke over it in full fury on an autumn evening? Imagine that sound.And then imagine that the wood,instead of being fixed to one place,was rushing at you; and was no longer trees but huge people; yet still like trees because their long arms waved like branches and their heads tossed and leaves fell round them in showers.It was like that for the Telmarines.It was a little alarming even for the Narnians.In a few minutes all Miraz's followers were running down to the Great River in the hope of crossing the bridge to the town of Beruna and there defending themselves behind ramparts and closed gates.

片刻功夫,海啸般的树声,淹没了敌人的惊叫声和武器的撞击声。成千上万的觉醒的树木绕过彼得的军队,扑向台尔马士兵。如果你曾在深秋的夜晚,站在树林的山崖上感受那强劲的西南风你就知道了。风呼啸着掠过树林,然后毫无遮拦地向你刮来。想想那声音!再想象树林突然间变成无数的巨人一齐扑向你。不过样子仍像树,因为它们手臂挥起来像树枝,脑袋摇来晃去,树叶像暴雨般落在身后。在台尔马人看来就是这么一个场景,甚至在古纳尼亚的军队也觉得心悸。短短几分钟,弥若兹手下的士兵就不剩几个活口,他们顺着通往大河的路仓皇逃窜。他们打算渡过柏卢纳大桥打算占领附近的小镇,然后紧闭城门只守不攻。

They reached the river,but there was no bridge.It had disappeared since yesterday.Then utter panic and horror fell upon them and they all surrendered.

可是他们来到河边,却找不到那座桥了!那座桥竟然在昨天晚上消失了。在极恐惧和绝望中,他们只好丢盔卸甲,举手投降了。

But what had happened to the bridge?

可到底是怎么回事呢?

Early that morning,after a few hours' sleep,the girls had waked,to see Aslan standing over them and to hear his voice saying,"We will make holiday."They rubbed their eyes and looked round them.The trees had all gone but could still be seen moving away toward Aslan's How in a dark mass.Bacchus and the Maenads-his fierce,madcap girls-and Silenus were still with them.Lucy,fully rested,jumped up.Everyone was awake,everyone was laughing,flutes were playing,cymbals clashing.Animals,not Talking Animals,were crowding in upon them from every direction.

是这样的,那天清晨,露茜和苏珊睡几小时后醒来。她们一睁眼就看到阿斯兰望着她们,说:"我们将一起度过美好的一天。"她们揉眼看看四周。树神们已经离开,只看到黑压压的一片朝阿斯兰堡垒的方向移动。巴库斯和那群野姑娘留了下来,还有塞利努斯。露茜精力充沛地跳了起来,大家清醒过来后空中很快响起了笑声和打闹声。会说话的和不会说话的兽类都被这欢快的场面吸引了,从四面八方聚拢过来。

"What is it,Aslan?"said Lucy,her eyes dancing and her feet wanting to dance.

"今天是节日吗,阿斯兰?"露茜说,她的目光闪烁步履轻快。

"Come,children,"said he."Ride on my back again today."

"过来,孩子们,"阿斯兰说,"还像之前一样坐到我背上吧。"

"Oh,lovely!"cried Lucy,and both girls climbed on to the warm golden back as they had done no one knew how many years before.Then the whole party moved off-Aslan leading,Bacchus and his Maenads leaping,rushing,and turning somersaults,the beasts frisking round them,and Silenus and his donkey bringing up the rear.

"噢,太棒了!露茜叫着,两个女孩就像很久以前那样,爬到了阿斯兰的背上。阿斯兰带领他们出发。巴库斯和他的姑娘们也一路上不停地奔跑打滚,而塞利努斯骑着毛驴紧随其后。

They turned a little to the right,raced down a steep hill,and found the long Bridge of Beruna in front of them.Before they had begun to cross it,however,up out of the water came a great wet,bearded head,larger than a man's,crowned with rushes.It looked at Aslan and out of its mouth a deep voice came.

他们向右拐个小弯,下了陡坡,到柏卢纳大桥前。正准备过河,水中突然冒出一个湿淋淋的、长满毛发的脑袋,上面戴着一顶乱蓬蓬的草环。它望着阿斯兰低声说:

"Hail,Lord,"it said."Loose my chains."

"我尊贵的神,"它说,"请解开我身上的锁链吧。"

"Who on earth is that?"whispered Susan.

"它是谁呀?"苏珊小声问。

"I think it's the river-god,but hush,"said Lucy.

"我觉得应该是河神吧,别出声。"露茜说。

"Bacchus,"said Aslan."Deliver him from his chains."

"巴库斯,"阿斯兰吩咐道,"打开锁链。"

"That means the bridge,I expect,"thought Lucy.And so it did.Bacchus and his people splashed forward into the shallow water,and a minute later the most curious things began happening.Great,strong trunks of ivy came curling up all the piers of the bridge,growing as quickly as a fire grows,wrapping the stones round,splitting,breaking,separating them.The walls of the bridge turned into hedges gay with hawthorn for a moment and then disappeared as the whole thing with a rush and a rumble collapsed into the swirling water.With much splashing,screaming,and laughter the revellers waded or swam or danced across the ford ("Hurrah ! It's the Ford of Beruna again now !"cried the girls) and up the bank on the far side and into the town.

"可能是说那座桥。"露茜暗忖。果然巴库斯和他的部下来到浅水区。过了一分钟,奇迹发生了。茂盛的常春藤缠绕着桥墩拔地而起,卷起桥石。桥身瞬间就变成了篱笆,迅速地分裂瓦解然后坍塌下来,在河面上溅起了水花。那些野姑娘们拍打着水面尖叫着,大笑着,有的嬉水,有的游泳,还有的索性在河滩上跳起舞来。"万岁!又回到当年的柏卢纳渡口了!"姑娘们欢呼。然后过到河对面,走向小镇。

Everyone in the streets fled before their faces.The first house they came to was a school: a girls' school,where lot of Narnian girls,with their hair done very tight and ugly tight collars round their necks and thick tickly stockings on their legs,were having a history lesson.The sort of"History"that was taught in Narnia under Miraz's rule was duller than the truest history you ever read and less true than the most exciting adventure story.

大街上的行人见到他们都吓得四散开去。他们先来到一所女子学校。这里的女孩子都扎着呆板、难看的辫子,衣领竖起校服既难看又不舒服。原来这里正上历史课,内容是弥若兹统治下的纳尼亚,非常枯燥,毫无逻辑。

"If you don't attend,Gwendolen,"said the mistress,and stop looking out of the window,I shall have to give you an order-mark.

"如果你再不认真听讲,格温多伦,"一个女教师说,"再往窗外看的话,我就记你的名字,扣你的分数!"

"But please,Miss Prizzle-"began Gwendolen.

"可是,普蕾莱小姐......"格温多伦想开口为自己辩解。

"Did you hear what I said,Gwendolen?"asked Miss Prizzle.

"你没有听懂我说的话吗,格温多伦?" 普蕾莱小姐说。

"But please,Miss Prizzle,"said Gwendolen,"there's a LION!"

"可是,普蕾莱小姐,"格温多伦说,"有一头狮子!"

"Take two order-marks for talking nonsense,"said Miss Prizzle."And now-"A roar interrupted her.Ivy came curling in at the windows of the classroom.The walls became a mass of shimmering green,and leafy branches arched overhead where the ceiling had been.Miss Prizzle found she was standing on grass in a forest glade.She clutched at her desk to steady herself,and found that the desk was a rose-bush.Wild people such as she had never even imagined were crowding round her.Then she saw the Lion,screamed and fled,and with her fled her class,who were mostly dumpy,prim little girls with fat legs.Gwendolen hesitated.

"胡说八道,扣两分!"普蕾莱小姐说,"现在......"她的话被狮吼打断了。窗外长出了常青藤,一会儿就爬满了墙壁和屋顶,教室里生机勃勃的。普蕾莱小姐突然发现自己站在林中的草地上,非常吃惊连忙去扶桌子,桌子却变成了一簇玫瑰。野姑娘围过来,接着她又看到阿斯兰,吓得跑开了。那一班做作矫情的小姑娘也随之一哄而散,只有格温多伦还在犹豫。

"You'll stay with us,sweetheart?"said Aslan.

"宝贝儿,你愿意跟我们在一起吗?"阿斯兰问她。

"Oh,may I? Thank you,thank you,"said Gwendolen.Instantly she joined hands with two of the Maenads,who whirled her round in a merry dance and helped her take off some of the unnecessary and uncomfortable clothes that she was wearing.

"噢,可以吗?谢谢你,太谢谢了!"格温多伦说着和身边两个姑娘手拉手。她们帮她脱下了那既不舒服又难看的校服,然后教她跳起舞来。

Wherever they went in the little town of Beruna it was the same.Most of the people fled,a few joined them.When they left the town they were a larger and a merrier company.

无论他们走到哪里,情况大致相同。多数人逃开了,一小部分加入。离开柏卢纳镇时,他们的队伍扩大了许多,也更热闹了。

They swept on across the level fields on the north bank,or left bank,of the river.At every farm animals came out to join them.Sad old donkeys who had never known joy grew suddenly young again; chained dogs broke their chains; horses kicked their carts to pieces and came trotting along with them-clop-clop-kicking up the mud and whinnying.

他们走过平原,向河北岸而去。每一处农庄,就有家畜跑来。悲伤的老驴突然变得快乐而年轻;家犬第一次摆脱了它们的枷锁;小马踢碎了身上的大车,撂着蹶子绕着队伍来回跑。

At a well in a yard they met a man who was beating a boy.The stick burst into flower in the man's hand.He tried to drop it,but it stuck to his hand.His arm became a branch,his body the trunk of a tree,his feet took root.The boy,who had been crying a moment before,burst out laughing and joined them.

一座院落的井边,一个男人正在打一个男孩。他手里的棍子突然变成了一枝花。他想扔掉那花,可是丢不掉。很快他变成了树,脚在地上扎了根。孩子破涕为笑,一蹦一跳地跟他们一起走了。

At a little town half-way to Beaversdam,where two rivers met,they came to another school,where a tired-looking girl was teaching arithmetic to a number of boys who looked very like pigs.She looked out of the window and saw the divine revellers singing up the street and a stab of joy went through her heart.Aslan stopped right under the window and looked up at her.

去海狸大坝的路上,在两条河交汇处有个村镇。他们走进了另一所学校,一位疲倦的姑娘,在给一群男孩上数学课。那些男孩像猪一般,呆头呆脑毫无生气。那姑娘向窗户望去,看见一个野姑娘边唱边跳,沿街走来。她的心情一下子好了。阿斯兰走到窗前看她。

"Oh,don't,don't,"she said."I'd love to.But I mustn't.I must stick to my work.And the children would be frightened if they saw you."

"噢,不,不行,"姑娘说,"我想去,可是我不能。我得给他们上课。孩子们看见你会被吓坏的。"

"Frightened?"said the most pig-like of the boys."Who's she talking to out of the window? Let's tell the inspector she talks to people out of the window when she ought to be teaching us."

"吓坏我们?"一个笨小孩说,"她在和窗外的人讲话?我们去告诉校长。"

"Let's go and see who it is,"said another boy,and they all came crowding to the window.But as soon as their mean little faces looked out,Bacchus gave a great cry of Euan,euoi-oi-oi-oi and the boys all began howling with fright and trampling one another down to get out of the door and jumping out of the windows.And it was said afterward (whether truly or not) that those particular little boys were never seen again,but that there were a lot of very fine little pigs in that part of the country which had never been there before.

"让我们一起去看看,到底是谁。"另一个孩子提议,于是大家都跑到了窗前。他们刚到窗边,就听到巴库斯一声大叫,吓跑了,他们互相推着,踩踏着,喊叫着,乱成一片。据说那以后(不知真假),再也没见过那帮笨小孩,却多了一群非常听话的猪。

"Now,Dear Heart,"said Aslan to the Mistress,and she jumped down and joined them.

"现在没事了,亲爱的。"阿斯兰跟那姑娘说。那姑娘立跳出窗户,加入他们的队伍。

At Beaversdam they re-crossed the river and came east again along the southern bank.They came to a little cottage where a child stood in the doorway crying."Why are you crying,my love?"asked Aslan.The child,who had never seen a picture of a lion,was not afraid of him."Auntie's very ill,"she said."She's going to die."Then Aslan went to go in at the door of the cottage,but it was too small for him.So,when he had got his head through,he pushed with his shoulders (Lucy and Susan fell off when he did this) and lifted the whole house up and it fell backwards and apart.And there,still in her bed,though the bed was now in the open air,lay a little old woman who looked as if she had Dwarf blood in her.She was at death's door,but when she opened her eyes and saw the bright,hairy head of the lion staring into her face,she did not scream or faint.She said,"Oh,Aslan! I knew it was true.I've been waiting for this all my life.Have you come to take me away?"

他们再次过河,然后往东走。不久便来到了一座农舍前,门外有个哭泣的小孩。阿斯兰上前问道:"你为什么哭呀,孩子?"那孩子显然不知道狮子是什么,所以也不害怕。"姨妈病得厉害,"她说,"她快死了。"阿斯兰想走进小屋,可是他进不去,房子太小了,他只好把头伸进门。这下露茜和苏珊就从他身上掉了下来。阿斯兰肩膀一抬,那房子就被掀了起来,再一抖房子就成了一堆废墟。露天的床上正躺着一个老妇人,显然是小矮人的后代,已经快没了呼吸。她睁开双眼,非常虚弱。她看到阿斯兰那毛茸茸的大头,竟然一点都不惊讶,也不恐惧。她说:"啊,阿斯兰!我知道这是真的。我等了一辈子,你是来接我的吧?"

"Yes,Dearest,"said Aslan."But not the long journey yet."And as he spoke,like the flush creeping along the underside of a cloud at sunrise,the colour came back to her white face and her eyes grew bright and she sat up and said,"Why,I do declare I feel that better.I think I could take a little breakfast this morning."

"是的,亲爱的,"阿斯兰说,"还好没让你等太久。"此话一出,就像云开见月明一样,老妇人苍白的面颊竟然慢慢变红,她的眼睛也变得清澈、明亮。她突然坐起来,说:"我感觉好多了,可以吃东西了。"

"Here you are,mother,"said Bacchus,dipping a pitcher in the cottage well and handing it to her.But what was in it now was not water but the richest wine,red as red-currant jelly,smooth as oil,strong as beef,warming as tea,cool as dew.

"吃吧,嬷嬷,"巴库斯说着,就提了一桶水递给她。桶里的水却变成了最甘甜的美酒,像草莓一样鲜红,像油一样顺滑,像蜂蜜那么甘甜,像牛肉那么耐嚼,像茶一样温暖,像露水一样清凉。

"Eh,you've done something to our well,"said the old woman."That makes a nice change,that does."And she jumped out of bed.

"噢--一定是你在里面施了魔法,这水才变得这么好喝,真是好极了!"老妇人喝了几口之后惊讶地说,然后翻身跳下床。

"Ride on me,"said Aslan,and added to Susan and Lucy,"You two queens will have to run now."

"到我背上来吧,"阿斯兰说,然后他对苏珊和露茜说,"不过两位女王现在只有下来走了。"

"But we'd like that just as well,"said Susan.And off they went again.

"我们非常愿意下来活动筋骨。"苏珊说。于是,他们继续前行。

And so at last,with leaping and dancing and singing,with music and laughter and roaring and barking and neighing,they all came to the place where Miraz's army stood flinging down their swords and holding up their hands,and Peter's army,still holding their weapons and breathing hard,stood round them with stern and glad faces.And the first thing that happened was that the old woman slipped off Aslan's back and ran across to Caspian and they embraced one another; for she was his old nurse.

就这样他们边唱边跳来到了河边,看到弥若兹的军队丢盔弃甲宣布投降。彼得的部队站在一旁,脸上都洋溢着胜利的笑容。老妇人突然从阿斯兰的背上跳下来,跑向凯斯宾。两人抱在一起,激动得难以言语。原来她就是凯斯宾的老保姆。

CHAPTER FOURTEEN HOW ALL WERE VERY BUSY

A LITTLE before two o'clock Trumpkin and the Badger sat with the rest of the creatures at the woods edge looking across at the gleaming line of Miraz's army which was about two arrow-shots away.In between,a square space of level grass had been staked for the combat.At the two far corners stood Glozelle and Sopespian with drawn swords.At the near corners were Giant Wimbleweather and the Bulgy Bear,who in spite of all their warnings was sucking his paws and looking,to tell the truth,uncommonly silly.To make up for this,Glenstorm on the right of the lists,stock-still except when he stamped a hind hoof occasionally on the turf,looked much more imposing than the Telmarine baron who faced him on the left.Peter had just shaken hands with Edmund and the Doctor,and was now walking down to the combat.It was like the moment before the pistol goes at an important race,but very much worse.

"I wish Aslan had turned up before it came to this,"said Caspian Trumpkin.

"So do I,"said Trufflehunter."But look behind you."

"Crows and crockery!"muttered the Dwarf as soon as he had done so."What are they? Huge people-beautiful people-like gods and goddesses and giants.Hundreds and thousands of them,closing in behind us.What are they?"

"It's the Dryads and Hamadryads and Silvans,"said Trufflehunter."Aslan has waked them."

"Humph!"said the Dwarf."That'll be very useful if the enemy try any treachery.But it won't help the High King very much if Miraz proves handier with his sword."

The Badger said nothing,for now Peter and Miraz were entering the lists from opposite ends,both on foot,both in chain shirts,with helmets and shields.They advanced till they were close together.Both bowed and seemed to speak,but it was impossible to hear what they said.Next moment,the two swords flashed in the sunlight.For a second the clash could be heard but it was immediately drowned because both armies began shouting like crowds at a football match.

"Well done,Peter,oh,well done!"shouted Edmund as he saw Miraz reel back a whole pace and a half."Follow it up,quick!"And Peter did,and for a few seconds it looked as if the fight might be won.But then Miraz pulled himself together-began to make real use of his height and weight"Miraz! Miraz! The King! The King!"came the roar of the Telmarines.Caspian and Edmund grew white with sickening anxiety.

"Peter is taking some dreadful knocks,"said Edmund.

"Hullo!"said Caspian."What's happening now?"

"Both falling apart,"said Edmund."A bit blown,I expect.Watch.Ah,now they're beginning again,more scientifically this time.Circling round and round,feeling each other's defences."

"I'm afraid this Miraz knows his work,"muttered the Doctor.But hardly had he said this when there was such a clapping and baying and throwing up of hoods among the Old Narnians that it was nearly deafening.

"What was it? What was it?"asked the Doctor."My old eyes missed it."

"The High King has pricked him in the arm-pit,"said Caspian,still clapping."Just where the arm-hole of the hauberk let the point through.First blood."

"It's looking ugly again now,though,"said Edmund."Peter's not using his shield properly.He must be hurt in the left arm."

It was only too true.Everyone could see that Peter's shield hung limp.The shouting of the Telmarines redoubled.

"You've seen more battles than I,"said Caspian."Is there any chance now?"

"Precious little,"said Edmund."I suppose he might just do it.With luck."

"Oh,why did we let it happen at all?"said Caspian.

Suddenly all the shouting on both sides died down.Edmund was puzzled for a moment.Then he said,Oh,I see.They've both agreed to a rest.Come on,Doctor.You and I may be able to do something for the High King.They ran down to the lists and Peter came outside the ropes to meet them,his face red and sweaty,his chest heaving.

"Is your left arm wounded?"asked Edmund.

"It's not exactly a wound,"Peter said."I got the full weight of his shoulder on my shield-like a load of bricks-and the rim of the shield drove into my wrist.I don't think it's broken,but it might be a sprain.If you could tie it up very tight I think I could manage."

While they were doing this,Edmund asked anxiously."What do you think of him,Peter?"

"Tough,"said Peter.Very tough.I have a chance if can keep him on the hop till his weight and short wind come against him-in this hot sun too.To tell the truth,I haven't much chance else.Give my love to-to everyone at home,Ed,if he gets me.Here he comes into the lists again.So long,old chap.Good-bye,Doctor.And I say,Ed,say something specially nice to Trumpkin.He's been a brick.

Edmund couldn't speak.He walked back with the Doctor to his own lines with a sick feeling in his stomach.

But the new bout went well.Peter now seemed to be able to make some use of his shield,and he certainly made good use of his feet.He was almost playing Tig with Miraz now,keeping out of range,shifting his ground,making the enemy work.

"Coward!"booed the Telmarines."Why don't you stand up to him? Don't you like it,eh? Thought you'd come to fight,not dance.Yah!"

"Oh,I do hope he won't listen to them,"said Caspian.

"Not he,"said Edmund."You don't know him-Oh!"for -Miraz had got in a blow at last,on Peter's helmet.Peter staggered,slipped sideways,and fell on one knee.The roar of the Telmarines rose like the noise of the sea."Now,Miraz,"they yelled."Now.Quick ! Quick ! Kill him."But indeed there was no need to egg the usurper on.He was on top of Peter already.

Edmund bit his lips till the blood came,as the sword flashed down on Peter.It looked as if it would slash off his head.Thank heavens ! It had glanced down his right shoulder.The Dwarf-wrought mail was sound and did not break.

"Great Scott !"cried Edmund."He's up again.Peter,go it,Peter."

"I couldn't see what happened,"said the Doctor."How did he do it?"

"Grabbed Miraz's arm as it came down,"said Trumpkin,dancing with delight."There's a man for you ! Uses his enemy's arm as a ladder.The High King ! The High King ! Up,Old Narnia!"

"Look,"said Trufflehunter."Miraz is angry.It is good."They were certainly at it hammer and tongs now: such a flurry of blows that it seemed impossible for either not to be killed.As the excitement grew,the shouting almost died away.The spectators were holding their breath.It was most horrible and most magnificent.

A great shout arose from the Old Narnians.Miraz was a down-not struck by Peter,but face downwards,having tripped on a tussock.Peter stepped back,waiting for him to rise.

"Oh bother,bother,bother,"said Edmund to himself."Need he be as gentlemanly as that? I suppose he must.Comes of being a Knight and a High King.I suppose it is what Aslan would like.But that brute will be up again in a minute and then-"

But"that brute"never rose.The Lords Glozelle and Sopespian had their own plans ready.As soon as they saw their King down they leaped into the lists crying,"Treachery! Treachery! The Narnian traitor has stabbed him in the back while he lay helpless.To arms ! To arms,Telmar!"

Peter hardly understood what was happening.He saw two big men running toward him with drawn swords.Then the third Telmarine had leaped over the ropes on his left."To arms,Narnia! Treachery!"Peter shouted.If all three had set upon him at once he would never have spoken again.But Glozelle stopped to stab his own King dead where he lay:"That's for your insult,this morning,"he whispered as the blade went home.Peter swung to face Sopespian,slashed his legs from under him and,with the back-cut of the same stroke,walloped off his head Edmund was now at his side crying,"Narnia,Narnia! The Lion!"The whole Telmarine army was rushing toward them.But now the Giant was stamping forward,stooping low and swinging his club.The Centaurs charged.Twang,twang behind and hiss,hiss overhead came the archery of Dwarfs.Trumpkin was fighting at his left.Full battle was joined.

"Come back,Reepicheep,you little ass!"shouted Peter."You'll only be killed.This is no place for mice."But the ridiculous little creatures were dancing in and out among the feet of both armies,jabbing with their swords.Many a Telmarine warrior that day felt his foot suddenly pierced as if by a dozen skewers,hopped on one leg cursing the pain,and fell as often as not.If he fell,the mice finished him off; if he did not,someone else did.

But almost before the Old Narnians were really warmed to their work they found the enemy giving way.Tough-looking warriors turned white,gazed in terror not on the Old Narnians but on something behind them,and then flung down their weapons,shrieking,"The Wood ! The Wood ! The end of the world !"

But soon neither their cries nor the sound of weapons could be heard any more,for both were drowned in the ocean-like roar of the Awakened Trees as they plunged through the ranks of Peter's army,and then on,in pursuit of the Telmarines.Have you ever stood at the edge of a great wood on a high ridge when a wild south-wester broke over it in full fury on an autumn evening? Imagine that sound.And then imagine that the wood,instead of being fixed to one place,was rushing at you; and was no longer trees but huge people; yet still like trees because their long arms waved like branches and their heads tossed and leaves fell round them in showers.It was like that for the Telmarines.It was a little alarming even for the Narnians.In a few minutes all Miraz's followers were running down to the Great River in the hope of crossing the bridge to the town of Beruna and there defending themselves behind ramparts and closed gates.

They reached the river,but there was no bridge.It had disappeared since yesterday.Then utter panic and horror fell upon them and they all surrendered.

But what had happened to the bridge?

Early that morning,after a few hours' sleep,the girls had waked,to see Aslan standing over them and to hear his voice saying,"We will make holiday."They rubbed their eyes and looked round them.The trees had all gone but could still be seen moving away toward Aslan's How in a dark mass.Bacchus and the Maenads-his fierce,madcap girls-and Silenus were still with them.Lucy,fully rested,jumped up.Everyone was awake,everyone was laughing,flutes were playing,cymbals clashing.Animals,not Talking Animals,were crowding in upon them from every direction.

"What is it,Aslan?"said Lucy,her eyes dancing and her feet wanting to dance.

"Come,children,"said he."Ride on my back again today."

"Oh,lovely!"cried Lucy,and both girls climbed on to the warm golden back as they had done no one knew how many years before.Then the whole party moved off-Aslan leading,Bacchus and his Maenads leaping,rushing,and turning somersaults,the beasts frisking round them,and Silenus and his donkey bringing up the rear.

They turned a little to the right,raced down a steep hill,and found the long Bridge of Beruna in front of them.Before they had begun to cross it,however,up out of the water came a great wet,bearded head,larger than a man's,crowned with rushes.It looked at Aslan and out of its mouth a deep voice came.

"Hail,Lord,"it said."Loose my chains."

"Who on earth is that?"whispered Susan.

"I think it's the river-god,but hush,"said Lucy.

"Bacchus,"said Aslan."Deliver him from his chains."

"That means the bridge,I expect,"thought Lucy.And so it did.Bacchus and his people splashed forward into the shallow water,and a minute later the most curious things began happening.Great,strong trunks of ivy came curling up all the piers of the bridge,growing as quickly as a fire grows,wrapping the stones round,splitting,breaking,separating them.The walls of the bridge turned into hedges gay with hawthorn for a moment and then disappeared as the whole thing with a rush and a rumble collapsed into the swirling water.With much splashing,screaming,and laughter the revellers waded or swam or danced across the ford ("Hurrah ! It's the Ford of Beruna again now !"cried the girls) and up the bank on the far side and into the town.

Everyone in the streets fled before their faces.The first house they came to was a school: a girls' school,where lot of Narnian girls,with their hair done very tight and ugly tight collars round their necks and thick tickly stockings on their legs,were having a history lesson.The sort of"History"that was taught in Narnia under Miraz's rule was duller than the truest history you ever read and less true than the most exciting adventure story.

"If you don't attend,Gwendolen,"said the mistress,and stop looking out of the window,I shall have to give you an order-mark.

"But please,Miss Prizzle-"began Gwendolen.

"Did you hear what I said,Gwendolen?"asked Miss Prizzle.

"But please,Miss Prizzle,"said Gwendolen,"there's a LION!"

"Take two order-marks for talking nonsense,"said Miss Prizzle."And now-"A roar interrupted her.Ivy came curling in at the windows of the classroom.The walls became a mass of shimmering green,and leafy branches arched overhead where the ceiling had been.Miss Prizzle found she was standing on grass in a forest glade.She clutched at her desk to steady herself,and found that the desk was a rose-bush.Wild people such as she had never even imagined were crowding round her.Then she saw the Lion,screamed and fled,and with her fled her class,who were mostly dumpy,prim little girls with fat legs.Gwendolen hesitated.

"You'll stay with us,sweetheart?"said Aslan.

"Oh,may I? Thank you,thank you,"said Gwendolen.Instantly she joined hands with two of the Maenads,who whirled her round in a merry dance and helped her take off some of the unnecessary and uncomfortable clothes that she was wearing.

Wherever they went in the little town of Beruna it was the same.Most of the people fled,a few joined them.When they left the town they were a larger and a merrier company.

They swept on across the level fields on the north bank,or left bank,of the river.At every farm animals came out to join them.Sad old donkeys who had never known joy grew suddenly young again; chained dogs broke their chains; horses kicked their carts to pieces and came trotting along with them-clop-clop-kicking up the mud and whinnying.

At a well in a yard they met a man who was beating a boy.The stick burst into flower in the man's hand.He tried to drop it,but it stuck to his hand.His arm became a branch,his body the trunk of a tree,his feet took root.The boy,who had been crying a moment before,burst out laughing and joined them.

At a little town half-way to Beaversdam,where two rivers met,they came to another school,where a tired-looking girl was teaching arithmetic to a number of boys who looked very like pigs.She looked out of the window and saw the divine revellers singing up the street and a stab of joy went through her heart.Aslan stopped right under the window and looked up at her.

"Oh,don't,don't,"she said."I'd love to.But I mustn't.I must stick to my work.And the children would be frightened if they saw you."

"Frightened?"said the most pig-like of the boys."Who's she talking to out of the window? Let's tell the inspector she talks to people out of the window when she ought to be teaching us."

"Let's go and see who it is,"said another boy,and they all came crowding to the window.But as soon as their mean little faces looked out,Bacchus gave a great cry of Euan,euoi-oi-oi-oi and the boys all began howling with fright and trampling one another down to get out of the door and jumping out of the windows.And it was said afterward (whether truly or not) that those particular little boys were never seen again,but that there were a lot of very fine little pigs in that part of the country which had never been there before.

"Now,Dear Heart,"said Aslan to the Mistress,and she jumped down and joined them.

At Beaversdam they re-crossed the river and came east again along the southern bank.They came to a little cottage where a child stood in the doorway crying."Why are you crying,my love?"asked Aslan.The child,who had never seen a picture of a lion,was not afraid of him."Auntie's very ill,"she said."She's going to die."Then Aslan went to go in at the door of the cottage,but it was too small for him.So,when he had got his head through,he pushed with his shoulders (Lucy and Susan fell off when he did this) and lifted the whole house up and it fell backwards and apart.And there,still in her bed,though the bed was now in the open air,lay a little old woman who looked as if she had Dwarf blood in her.She was at death's door,but when she opened her eyes and saw the bright,hairy head of the lion staring into her face,she did not scream or faint.She said,"Oh,Aslan! I knew it was true.I've been waiting for this all my life.Have you come to take me away?"

"Yes,Dearest,"said Aslan."But not the long journey yet."And as he spoke,like the flush creeping along the underside of a cloud at sunrise,the colour came back to her white face and her eyes grew bright and she sat up and said,"Why,I do declare I feel that better.I think I could take a little breakfast this morning."

"Here you are,mother,"said Bacchus,dipping a pitcher in the cottage well and handing it to her.But what was in it now was not water but the richest wine,red as red-currant jelly,smooth as oil,strong as beef,warming as tea,cool as dew.

"Eh,you've done something to our well,"said the old woman."That makes a nice change,that does."And she jumped out of bed.

"Ride on me,"said Aslan,and added to Susan and Lucy,"You two queens will have to run now."

"But we'd like that just as well,"said Susan.And off they went again.

And so at last,with leaping and dancing and singing,with music and laughter and roaring and barking and neighing,they all came to the place where Miraz's army stood flinging down their swords and holding up their hands,and Peter's army,still holding their weapons and breathing hard,stood round them with stern and glad faces.And the first thing that happened was that the old woman slipped off Aslan's back and ran across to Caspian and they embraced one another; for she was his old nurse.

第十四章 纳尼亚的解放

快到两点钟的时候,杜鲁普金、棕熊和整个部队坐在树林的最外边。几十米开外,是弥若兹大军。放眼望去两军之间的草地被一块平地分开,那块平地已被圈起来。哥洛和索皮站在平地一边,手持宝剑,巨人韦姆布威热和大棕熊站在另外两边。棕熊不听同伴劝告,仍然不停舔爪子,样子十分有趣。格兰士托姆站在左边,弥补了熊的失仪,巨人像个雕塑般一动不动,只是偶尔踏一下脚,比起对面的助手有气势多了。这个时候彼得已经与爱德蒙和博士握过手,向平地中间走去。此时气氛紧张,甚至比赛场上发令枪响之前的那一刻还紧张。

"如果阿斯兰在就好了。"杜鲁普金说。

"我也这么想,"特鲁佛汉特说,"你看后面。"

"天哪!" 小矮人回过头,非常吃惊,"他们是?那么高......那么漂亮的......像神、女神和巨人一样,我们身后成千上万的那些人,是谁?"

"是树仙女、精灵和树神,"特鲁佛汉特说,"是阿斯兰唤醒了他们。"

"哼!"小矮人说,"看这种阵势,量敌人也不敢耍什么花招。 但如果弥若兹的剑法更好,我们也毫无办法。"

棕熊什么也没说。这时候彼得和弥若兹已经全身装备好走到平地中间,气氛更加紧张。他们行礼,说了几句话,不过由于距离太远,听不清谈话内容。忽然,两把剑都出了鞘,剑身闪着寒光。决斗就这样开始了。四周人声鼎沸,将两人的击剑声完全淹没。呐喊一浪盖过一浪,比足球比赛还热闹。

"漂亮!彼得,噢,漂亮!"爱德蒙看到弥若兹节节败退,开始大声喝彩,"快,进攻!"此时的彼得乘胜追击,看似胜券在握。没想到弥若兹竟然釜底抽薪,来了个回马枪。他依仗自己体重与身高的优势,步步为营。"弥若兹!弥若兹!国王!国王!"敌军大声呐喊,局势对彼得不利。这时候凯斯宾和爱德蒙脸都白了。

"彼得受到了一些致命伤。"爱德蒙说。

"那么!"雷佩契普说,"现在又怎么样了?"

"两人各就各位,"爱德蒙说,"要歇一歇。不过他们马上又开始了。这一次他们都比较谨慎,绕场一圈僵持着,寻找对手的破绽。"

"看来弥若兹的剑法精湛。"博士低声说。他话音没落就听到一阵雷鸣般的掌声和跺脚声。

"怎么回事?怎么了?"博士问,"我眼睛不好,看不清。"

"弥若兹被刺中了手臂,"凯斯宾边拍手边说,"剑穿过了他锁子甲的缝隙,弥若兹受伤了。"

"情况不对啊,"爱德蒙说,"彼得拿盾牌的姿势不对,他一定也受伤了。"

大家这才发现彼得手里的盾牌有些拿不稳。这时候敌军阵营中的呼喊声愈加高涨。

"你经验丰富,"凯斯宾说,"你说我们有胜算吗?"

"还有一点吧,"爱德蒙说,"我想彼得在等待时机,看运气吧。"

"哦,那我们为什么还让他们打?"凯斯宾说。

双方的喊叫声突然同时停了下来。爱德蒙马上明白过来:"哦,是的,双方同意暂停,休息一会儿。跟我来博士,看看能不能帮得上彼得。"说着,他俩走向决斗场。彼得朝他们走了过来。他满脸通红,汗流浃背,胸部急剧地起伏。

"你的左臂受伤了?"爱德蒙问。

"也不算受伤,"彼得说,"他把整个肩膀的重量,都压着我的盾......像砖头那么重,盾把手的边缘卡着我的手腕了。不过没有骨折,应该是扭了,绑一下就可以了。"

他们包扎时,爱德蒙担心地问:"你认为能赢他吗,彼得?"

"力不从心,"彼得说,"很吃力。我有个好想法:如果能让他不停地移动,他的重量和力量,都会成为他自己的负担--在这样的烈日下。说实话已经没有其他机会了。爱德蒙,如果我牺牲了,请告诉家里的每一个人我爱他们。他上场了。再见,兄弟。再见,博士。记着,爱德蒙,好好安慰杜鲁普金,他值得信赖。"

爱德蒙没有说话。他和博士一起回到自己的阵营里,心情异常沉重。

但第二场局势却有所好转,彼得的手臂灵活多了,脚步也灵活许多。他在场上进进退退,一边进攻,一边和弥若兹保持距离。这样,弥若兹就不得不跟着他兜圈子。

"懦夫!"台尔马的士兵开始叫嚣,"你怎么停了?你害怕了吗,啊?你是来决斗的,还是来跳舞的,呀哈哈!"

"哦,我希望他别在意。"凯斯宾说。

"他不会,"爱德蒙说,"你不了解他--噢!"弥若兹在彼得的头盔上猛击了一下。彼得没站稳,单膝跪地。台尔马人顿时叫了起来:"快点,弥若兹,快点。快!快!杀了他。"那阴谋家不需别人提醒,已经扑向了地上的彼得。

眼看像是彼得被刺,爱德蒙紧张得把嘴唇都咬破了。弥若兹的剑术凶狠毒辣,看来势在必得。不过,谢天谢地!那一剑只砍在彼得的右臂上,不幸中的万幸,他的锁子甲没有被劈开,小矮人制作的锁子甲很结实。

"好样的!"爱德蒙激动得大叫,"他又站起来了。彼得,加油,彼得。"

"我没看清刚才发生了什么,"博士说,"到底怎么样了?"

"弥若兹砍下来的胳膊被彼得抓住了。"杜鲁普金一边说一边跳了起来,"至尊王!至尊王!为古纳尼亚,站起来!"

"你们看,"特鲁佛汉特说,"弥若兹没耐心了,这是好现象。"战斗已经到了高潮。每一击都很沉重,仿佛一个回合就能定输赢。观战的军队随着战斗紧张地进行,呐喊声却弱了下来。场面壮观又可怕,大家都屏住了呼吸。

古纳尼亚的军中突然沸腾起来。原来弥若兹被绊倒了,脸朝下摔了一跤,而且摔得不轻。彼得随即退后,等他爬起。

"啊,可恶,可恶,可恶,"爱德蒙嘟囔着,"都这时候了,还要讲究绅士风度吗?!当然他也不得不这样做,这是骑士以及一位高贵的国王应做的。这应该是阿斯兰所希望的吧。但等那个混蛋过一会儿再站起身来,就会......"

但那个混蛋再也没有站起来,因为哥洛和索皮开始他们的计划。他们看到弥若兹摔倒就跳入场内,大叫着:"阴谋!阴谋!我们的国王死啦!战斗!战斗,台尔马!"

彼得难以置信,他看到弥若兹那两个助手持剑扑来,接着又一个台尔马人也跳入决斗场。"战斗吧,纳尼亚!这是个阴谋!"彼得也喊起来。如果三个台尔马人一齐向他进攻,也许他就不能发号施令。哥洛冲向弥若兹一击毙命,嘴里还狠狠地说:"这是为了你早上对我的侮辱!"彼得转身对付索皮。一剑劈在索皮腿上,又是一剑要了他的命。这时爱德蒙已飞奔到哥哥的身旁,嘴里大喊着:"纳尼亚,纳尼亚!狮王!"台尔马军队忽然扑来,巨人及时赶到,弯下腰赶走了敌人,人马也奋勇出击,身后一阵弓弦声,头顶飞过小矮人射出的箭雨。杜鲁普金和那群小矮人从左边打过来。刹那间,战场上顿时乱成一团,打斗场面非常激烈。

"雷佩契普,去后面,你们这群小傻瓜!"彼得喊,"这不是老鼠待的地方,你们会被踩死的!"可那些小家伙毫不理会,像疯了一样。它们挥着自己手中的剑,奋勇杀敌。那天不少台尔马士兵感到脚非常痛,只好一边咒骂一边跳着往撤退,好多人都跌倒了。在战场上一旦摔倒在地,就没了活路。老鼠或是其他纳尼亚人一定会要了他的命。

古纳尼亚的战士们正高昂着斗志进攻,却发现敌军士兵瞬间放弃了抵抗,他们脸色苍白非常惊恐,然后扔下武器,尖叫着:"树精!树精!世界末日到啦!"

片刻功夫,海啸般的树声,淹没了敌人的惊叫声和武器的撞击声。成千上万的觉醒的树木绕过彼得的军队,扑向台尔马士兵。如果你曾在深秋的夜晚,站在树林的山崖上感受那强劲的西南风你就知道了。风呼啸着掠过树林,然后毫无遮拦地向你刮来。想想那声音!再想象树林突然间变成无数的巨人一齐扑向你。不过样子仍像树,因为它们手臂挥起来像树枝,脑袋摇来晃去,树叶像暴雨般落在身后。在台尔马人看来就是这么一个场景,甚至在古纳尼亚的军队也觉得心悸。短短几分钟,弥若兹手下的士兵就不剩几个活口,他们顺着通往大河的路仓皇逃窜。他们打算渡过柏卢纳大桥打算占领附近的小镇,然后紧闭城门只守不攻。

可是他们来到河边,却找不到那座桥了!那座桥竟然在昨天晚上消失了。在极恐惧和绝望中,他们只好丢盔卸甲,举手投降了。

可到底是怎么回事呢?

是这样的,那天清晨,露茜和苏珊睡几小时后醒来。她们一睁眼就看到阿斯兰望着她们,说:"我们将一起度过美好的一天。"她们揉眼看看四周。树神们已经离开,只看到黑压压的一片朝阿斯兰堡垒的方向移动。巴库斯和那群野姑娘留了下来,还有塞利努斯。露茜精力充沛地跳了起来,大家清醒过来后空中很快响起了笑声和打闹声。会说话的和不会说话的兽类都被这欢快的场面吸引了,从四面八方聚拢过来。

"今天是节日吗,阿斯兰?"露茜说,她的目光闪烁步履轻快。

"过来,孩子们,"阿斯兰说,"还像之前一样坐到我背上吧。"

"噢,太棒了!露茜叫着,两个女孩就像很久以前那样,爬到了阿斯兰的背上。阿斯兰带领他们出发。巴库斯和他的姑娘们也一路上不停地奔跑打滚,而塞利努斯骑着毛驴紧随其后。

他们向右拐个小弯,下了陡坡,到柏卢纳大桥前。正准备过河,水中突然冒出一个湿淋淋的、长满毛发的脑袋,上面戴着一顶乱蓬蓬的草环。它望着阿斯兰低声说:

"我尊贵的神,"它说,"请解开我身上的锁链吧。"

"它是谁呀?"苏珊小声问。

"我觉得应该是河神吧,别出声。"露茜说。

"巴库斯,"阿斯兰吩咐道,"打开锁链。"

"可能是说那座桥。"露茜暗忖。果然巴库斯和他的部下来到浅水区。过了一分钟,奇迹发生了。茂盛的常春藤缠绕着桥墩拔地而起,卷起桥石。桥身瞬间就变成了篱笆,迅速地分裂瓦解然后坍塌下来,在河面上溅起了水花。那些野姑娘们拍打着水面尖叫着,大笑着,有的嬉水,有的游泳,还有的索性在河滩上跳起舞来。"万岁!又回到当年的柏卢纳渡口了!"姑娘们欢呼。然后过到河对面,走向小镇。

大街上的行人见到他们都吓得四散开去。他们先来到一所女子学校。这里的女孩子都扎着呆板、难看的辫子,衣领竖起校服既难看又不舒服。原来这里正上历史课,内容是弥若兹统治下的纳尼亚,非常枯燥,毫无逻辑。

"如果你再不认真听讲,格温多伦,"一个女教师说,"再往窗外看的话,我就记你的名字,扣你的分数!"

"可是,普蕾莱小姐......"格温多伦想开口为自己辩解。

"你没有听懂我说的话吗,格温多伦?" 普蕾莱小姐说。

"可是,普蕾莱小姐,"格温多伦说,"有一头狮子!"

"胡说八道,扣两分!"普蕾莱小姐说,"现在......"她的话被狮吼打断了。窗外长出了常青藤,一会儿就爬满了墙壁和屋顶,教室里生机勃勃的。普蕾莱小姐突然发现自己站在林中的草地上,非常吃惊连忙去扶桌子,桌子却变成了一簇玫瑰。野姑娘围过来,接着她又看到阿斯兰,吓得跑开了。那一班做作矫情的小姑娘也随之一哄而散,只有格温多伦还在犹豫。

"宝贝儿,你愿意跟我们在一起吗?"阿斯兰问她。

"噢,可以吗?谢谢你,太谢谢了!"格温多伦说着和身边两个姑娘手拉手。她们帮她脱下了那既不舒服又难看的校服,然后教她跳起舞来。

无论他们走到哪里,情况大致相同。多数人逃开了,一小部分加入。离开柏卢纳镇时,他们的队伍扩大了许多,也更热闹了。

他们走过平原,向河北岸而去。每一处农庄,就有家畜跑来。悲伤的老驴突然变得快乐而年轻;家犬第一次摆脱了它们的枷锁;小马踢碎了身上的大车,撂着蹶子绕着队伍来回跑。

一座院落的井边,一个男人正在打一个男孩。他手里的棍子突然变成了一枝花。他想扔掉那花,可是丢不掉。很快他变成了树,脚在地上扎了根。孩子破涕为笑,一蹦一跳地跟他们一起走了。

去海狸大坝的路上,在两条河交汇处有个村镇。他们走进了另一所学校,一位疲倦的姑娘,在给一群男孩上数学课。那些男孩像猪一般,呆头呆脑毫无生气。那姑娘向窗户望去,看见一个野姑娘边唱边跳,沿街走来。她的心情一下子好了。阿斯兰走到窗前看她。

"噢,不,不行,"姑娘说,"我想去,可是我不能。我得给他们上课。孩子们看见你会被吓坏的。"

"吓坏我们?"一个笨小孩说,"她在和窗外的人讲话?我们去告诉校长。"

"让我们一起去看看,到底是谁。"另一个孩子提议,于是大家都跑到了窗前。他们刚到窗边,就听到巴库斯一声大叫,吓跑了,他们互相推着,踩踏着,喊叫着,乱成一片。据说那以后(不知真假),再也没见过那帮笨小孩,却多了一群非常听话的猪。

"现在没事了,亲爱的。"阿斯兰跟那姑娘说。那姑娘立跳出窗户,加入他们的队伍。

他们再次过河,然后往东走。不久便来到了一座农舍前,门外有个哭泣的小孩。阿斯兰上前问道:"你为什么哭呀,孩子?"那孩子显然不知道狮子是什么,所以也不害怕。"姨妈病得厉害,"她说,"她快死了。"阿斯兰想走进小屋,可是他进不去,房子太小了,他只好把头伸进门。这下露茜和苏珊就从他身上掉了下来。阿斯兰肩膀一抬,那房子就被掀了起来,再一抖房子就成了一堆废墟。露天的床上正躺着一个老妇人,显然是小矮人的后代,已经快没了呼吸。她睁开双眼,非常虚弱。她看到阿斯兰那毛茸茸的大头,竟然一点都不惊讶,也不恐惧。她说:"啊,阿斯兰!我知道这是真的。我等了一辈子,你是来接我的吧?"

"是的,亲爱的,"阿斯兰说,"还好没让你等太久。"此话一出,就像云开见月明一样,老妇人苍白的面颊竟然慢慢变红,她的眼睛也变得清澈、明亮。她突然坐起来,说:"我感觉好多了,可以吃东西了。"

"吃吧,嬷嬷,"巴库斯说着,就提了一桶水递给她。桶里的水却变成了最甘甜的美酒,像草莓一样鲜红,像油一样顺滑,像蜂蜜那么甘甜,像牛肉那么耐嚼,像茶一样温暖,像露水一样清凉。

"噢--一定是你在里面施了魔法,这水才变得这么好喝,真是好极了!"老妇人喝了几口之后惊讶地说,然后翻身跳下床。

"到我背上来吧,"阿斯兰说,然后他对苏珊和露茜说,"不过两位女王现在只有下来走了。"

"我们非常愿意下来活动筋骨。"苏珊说。于是,他们继续前行。

就这样他们边唱边跳来到了河边,看到弥若兹的军队丢盔弃甲宣布投降。彼得的部队站在一旁,脸上都洋溢着胜利的笑容。老妇人突然从阿斯兰的背上跳下来,跑向凯斯宾。两人抱在一起,激动得难以言语。原来她就是凯斯宾的老保姆。

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